"Owners of historic buildings in the central North Island are threatening to walk away if the Government doesn't relax tight earthquake-strengthening deadlines.And four local councils are banding together to push for changes to laws they say threaten the very heart of their town centres."

"Central North Island towns are mounting a challenge against tougher earthquake strengthening laws, which they say threaten their historic main streets with "destruction by legislation". Rangitikei is leading the way, trying to blaze a trail for rent-poor provincial New Zealand which is facing a looming deadline where safety and economic risks collide. "